Plate-type heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

Existing plate-type heat exchangers typically include plates that are constructed of metal or paper, which are only capable of transferring a limited amount of moisture, if any, from one side of the plate to the other side. The present invention is a plate-type heat exchanger wherein the plates are constructed of ionomer membranes, such as sulfonated or carboxylated polymer membranes, which are capable of transferring a significant amount of moisture from one side of the membrane to the other side. Incorporating such ionomer membranes into a plate-type heat exchanger provides the heat exchanger with the ability to transfer a large percentage of the available latent heat in one air stream to the other air streams. The ionomer membrane plates are, therefore, more efficient at transferring latent heat than plates constructed of metal or paper.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/158,533, filed Oct. 10, 1999. This is also a continuationapplication of U.S. Ser. No. 09/470,165, filed Dec. 22, 1999, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to a plate-type exchanger and moreparticularly, to a plate-type heat exchanger wherein the plates comprisea polymer membrane having enhanced moisture transfer properties.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systemstypically recirculate air, exhaust a portion of the re-circulating air,and simultaneously replace such exhaust air with fresh air. In order tomaintain an air temperature and humidity level within a certain space ator near a set point, it is desirable to condition the fresh air thetemperature and humidity level set point. Unfortunately, the temperatureand humidity of fresh air often differ substantially from those of theset points. For example, during hot and humid periods, such as thesummer months, the incoming fresh air typically has a higher temperatureand/or humidity level than desired. Additionally, during cold and/or dryperiods, such as the winter months, the incoming fresh air typically hasa lower temperature and humidity level than desired. The HVAC systemmust, therefore, condition the fresh air before introducing it to theroom.

[0004] HVAC systems are typically designed according to the worstclimatic conditions for the geographic area in which the HVAC systemwill be located. Such worst case climatic conditions are referred to asa cooling and heating “design day.” Conditioning the fresh air duringsuch extreme climatic conditions creates a significant load on the HVACsystem. System designers, therefore, typically design the HVAC systemwith sufficient capacity to maintain the set point during the design dayconditions. In order to create the required capacity, the HVAC systemmay include oversized equipment. Alternatively, as discussed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,051,898, which is hereby incorporated by reference, in orderto reduce the load on the HVAC system, system designers oftenincorporate ventilators within the HVAC system. Reducing the ventilationload on the HVAC system decreases its capacity requirements, which, inturn, allows the designers to specify smaller sized equipment, therebyleading to a more efficient design.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, a ventilator 10 typically includes aplate-type heat exchanger 12 which creates alternating flow passages forthe fresh air stream and exhaust air stream to pass therethrough. Theflow passages are typically either parallel or perpendicular to oneanother. This figure illustrates a cross flow heat exchanger because thealternating flow passages are perpendicular to one another.Specifically, one air stream enters the ventilator 10 through opening11, passes through the plate-type heat exchanger 12, and exits theventilator 10 through opening 13, and the other air stream enters theventilator 10 through opening 15, passes through the plate-type heatexchanger 12, and exits the ventilator 10 through opening 17. However,if the alternating flow passages are parallel to one another and the airstreams are in the same direction, then the heat exchanger is referredto as a co-flow heat exchanger. Additionally, if the alternating flowpassages are parallel to one another but the air streams directly opposeone another, then the heat exchanger is referred to as a counterflowheat exchanger.

[0006] Regardless of the direction of the flow patterns, as the airstreams pass through the passageway and along opposite sides of theplates, the heat or energy in one air stream is transferred to the otherair stream. Depending upon the material of the plates 20, they cantransfer sensible heat or both sensible and latent heat. Specifically,if the plates 20 are constructed of a material that is only capable oftransferring sensible heat, then the ventilator is referred to as a heatrecovery ventilator (HRV). If, however, the plates 20 are constructed ofa material that is capable of transferring latent heat, as well assensible heat, then the ventilator is referred to as an energy recoveryventilator (ERV). For example, metal plates, such as aluminum plates,absorb a portion of the thermal energy in one air stream and transfersuch energy to the other air stream by undergoing a temperature changewithout allowing any moisture to pass therethrough. Therefore, aventilator constructed of metal plates is referred to as a HRV. Althoughplates 20 constructed of paper typically have a lower thermalconductivity than metal, paper may be capable of transferring somesensible heat. These plates, however, are capable of transferring somelatent heat because such materials are capable of transferring moisturebetween air streams. A ventilator having plates constructed of materialcapable of transferring moisture between air streams is, therefore,referred to as an ERV.

[0007] It is generally understood that an ERV is more versatile andbeneficial than an HRV. However, materials such as paper limit theplate's ability to transfer a larger portion of the latent heat from oneair stream to the other air stream. Therefore, it is desirable toproduce an ERV with a plate having a greater latent heat transferefficiency. The cost of the more efficient material, however, cannotdisrupt the cost benefit of including an ERV within a HVAC system. Asdiscussed hereinbefore, utilizing a ventilator to pre-condition thefresh air is an alternative to increasing the size of the HVAC system.Specifically, pre-conditioning the fresh air allows the system designersto utilize a design day having more moderate parameters, which, in turn,make possible the inclusion of smaller, less costly equipment. Suchequipment will also consume less energy, thereby making it lessexpensive to operate. Hence, including an ERV within a HVAC system isperceived as a low cost method for increasing the system's overalloperating efficiency. However, if the cost of a more efficient platematerial significantly increases the first cost of the ERV, thenincluding an ERV within a HVAC system decreases its financial benefit.Therefore, it is desirable that the plates within the plate-type heatexchanger be constructed of a low cost material, as well as a materialthat has the ability to effectively transfer latent heat.

[0008] Another alternative to increasing the plate material's ability totransfer latent heat is to pressurize the ERV because pressurizing theERV increases the plate's ability to transfer latent heat from one airstream to the other by increasing the water concentration differenceacross the plate. A typical HVAC system, however, currently operates atabout ambient pressure. Therefore, pressurizing the HVAC system and moreparticularly, the ERV, would require adding additional equipment, suchas a compressor, to the HVAC system. Although pressurizing the ERV wouldincrease its efficiency, adding the necessary equipment to pressurizethe ERV would increase the HVAC system's overall cost. Again, includingan ERV within a HVAC system is currently perceived as a low cost methodfor increasing its overall efficiency because doing so decreases thesize and operating cost of the HVAC system. Pressurizing the HVACsystem, alternatively, would only increase the size of such system byadditional equipment, thereby eliminating the cost benefit of adding anERV to an HVAC system.

[0009] What is needed is a plate-type heat exchanger wherein the platesare constructed of a cost effective material, other than paper, that iscapable of transferring a larger percentage of the available latent heatin one air stream to the other air streams, while maintaining the ERV'sability to operate at about ambient pressure.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0010] The present invention is a plate-type heat exchanger wherein theplates are ionomer membranes, such as sulfonated or carboxylated polymermembranes, which are capable of transferring a significant amount ofmoisture from one of its side to the other. Because the ionomer membraneplates are capable of transferring a significant amount of moisture, theplate-type heat exchanger is capable of transferring a large percentageof the available latent heat in one air stream to the other air streams.Therefore, a heat exchanger having ionomer membrane plates is moreefficient than a heat exchanger constructed of paper plates. Utilizingsuch a material not only improves the latent effectiveness factor of theERV, but does so without pressuring the HVAC system or adding additionalequipment, thereby improving the cost benefit of including an ERV withinan HVAC system.

[0011] Accordingly the present invention relates to a plate-type heatexchanger, including a plurality of parallel plates spaced apart fromone another to thereby form alternating first and second passageways fora first gas stream and a second gas stream to pass therethrough,respectively, the plates being comprised of a ionomer membrane havingfour sides, a means for spacing apart the parallel plates from oneanother, a means for sealing two opposing sides of the first passagewaysthereby allowing the first gas stream to pass therethrough in a firstdirection, and a means for sealing two opposing sides of the firstpassageways thereby allowing the second gas stream to pass therethroughin a second direction.

[0012] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the ionomermembranes may be sulfonated or carboxylated polymer membranes, which canbe produced by sulfonating or carboxylating hydrocarbon or perfluronatedpolymers. Therefore, in a further embodiment of the present invention,the sulfonated or carboxylated polymer membrane shall comprise aperfluronated backbone chemical structure. In an even further alternateembodiment of the present invention, the sulfonated or carboxylatedpolymer membrane shall comprise a hydrocarbon backbone chemicalstructure.

[0013] Both the sulfonated polymer membrane, comprising theperfluoronated backbone chemical structure, and the sulfonated polymermembrane, comprising the hydrocarbon chemical structure, significantlyimprove the plate-type heat exchanger's ability to transfer latent heatbetween air streams in comparison to the currently available plate-typeheat exchangers comprising paper plates because both types of sulfonatedpolymer membranes have the ability to transfer a significantly greateramount of moisture. Additionally, the sulfonated polymer membranecomprising the hydrocarbon backbone structure is typically lessexpensive to manufacture than a sulfonated polymer membrane comprising aperfluoronated backbone structure because fluorine chemical processingis typically more expensive than ordinary hydrocarbon organic chemistry.Therefore, although there is a cost benefit for including an ERV havinga plate-type heat exchanger constructed of sulfonated polymer membraneswith a perfluoronated backbone stricture into an HVAC system, utilizingplates constructed of sulfonated polymer membranes having a hydrocarbonbackbone would further increase the ERV's cost benefit.

[0014] The foregoing features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent in light of the following detailed descriptionof exemplary embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a ventilator comprising a prior art plate-typeheat exchanger having a plurality of alternating counter flowpassageways therein.

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of ionomer membrane plates forconstructing a plate-type heat exchanger.

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates the plurality of ionomer membrane platesillustrated in FIG. 2 along with spacer bars located along two sides ofeach plate for spacing apart the plates and sealing the passagewaystherebetween.

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate means for sealing the passagewaysby creating flanges on opposing sides of the ionomer membrane plates.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a plate-type heat exchanger of the present inventionconstructed of parallel spaced ionomer membrane plates.

[0020]FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of the plate-type heat exchangerof the present invention further comprising continuous corrugated sheetsinterposed between the ionomer membrane plates.

[0021]FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the plate-type heat exchangerof the present invention wherein corrugated lattice structural sheetsare interposed between the ionomer membrane plates to create thealternating passageways.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a sheet of a lattice structure.

[0023]FIG. 8A is an enlargement of a portion of the corrugated latticestructure sheet in FIG. 8.

[0024]FIG. 9 is a cross section of the plate-type heat exchangerillustrated in FIG. 7, taken along line 9-9.

[0025]FIG. 10 is a cross section of the plate-type heat exchangerillustrated in FIG. 7, taken along line 10-10.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a side view of a ionomer membrane plate interposedbetween two planar lattice sheets.

[0027]FIG. 12 depicts a planar lattice sheet.

[0028]FIG. 13 illustrates a corrugated lattice structural sheetinterposed between two planar lattice sheets, wherein the ionomermembrane plates are adjacent the opposite sides of the planar latticesheets.

[0029]FIG. 14 is an alternate embodiment of the plate-type heatexchanger of the present invention comprising webbed sheets adjacent tothe ionomer membrane plates.

[0030]FIG. 15 is a cross section of the plate-type heat exchangerillustrated in FIG. 14, taken along line 15-15.

[0031]FIG. 16 is a cross section of the plate-type heat exchangerillustrated in FIG. 15, taken along line 16-16.

[0032]FIG. 17 is a cross section of the plate-type heat exchangerillustrated in FIG. 15, taken along line 17-17.

[0033]FIG. 18 is an alternate embodiment of the webbed supported ionomermembrane plate wherein one webbed sheet is adjacent the ionomer membraneplate.

[0034]FIG. 19 is a further embodiment of the webbed supported ionomermembrane plate wherein the webbed sheet is embedded within the ionomermembrane plate.

[0035]FIG. 20 is an ionomer membrane interposed between two layers ofpolytetrafluroehtylene.

[0036]FIG. 21 is an ionomer membrane adjacent one layer ofpolytetrafluroehtylene.

[0037]FIG. 22 is an alternate embodiment of the plate-type heatexchanger of the present invention wherein webbed sheets are interposedbetween the ionomer membrane plates to create the alternatingpassageways.

[0038]FIG. 23 is a cross section of the plate-type heat exchangerillustrated in FIG. 22, taken along line 23-23.

[0039]FIG. 24 is a cross section of the plate-type heat exchangerillustrated in FIG. 22, taken along line 24-24.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a plurality of plates 20spaced apart from one another to form passageways (i.e., gaps or spaces)between the plates 20. The plates 20 are constructed of an ionomermembrane, which has a high moisture transfer characteristic. An ionomermembrane shall mean a membrane composed of an ion containing polymer,such as a sulfonated polymer membrane or a carboxylated polymer membranethat is capable of transferring moisture from one of its sides to theother. A sulfonated polymer membrane shall mean a layer of polymercomprising a sulfonated ion (SO₃ ^(−/+)) within its chemical structure.The sulfonated ion (SO₃ ^(−/+)) is typically located within the sidechain of a polymer having a perfluoronated or hydrocarbon backbonestructure. Examples of a generic chemical structure for a sulfonatedpolymer membrane comprising a perfluoronated backbone chemical structureincludes the following:

[0041] wherein, m and n are comparable variables;

[0042] and

[0043] Moreover, examples of commercially available sulfonated polymermembranes having a perfluoronated chemical structure include thosemembranes manufactured by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., of Elkton, Md.and distributed under the tradename GORE-SELECT and those perfluoronatedmembranes manufactured by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company anddistributed under the tradename NAFION.

[0044] An example of a generic chemical structure for a sulfonatedpolymer membrane comprising a hydrocarbon backbone chemical structureincludes the following:

[0045] wherein, m and n are comparable variables;

[0046] and

[0047] Moreover, an example of a commercially available sulfonatedpolymer membrane having a hydrocarbon backbone chemical structureincludes the polymer membrane manufactured by the Dais Corporation, ofOdessa, Fla., and distributed under the product name DAIS 585. The costof sulfonated polymer membranes comprising a hydrocarbon backbonechemical structure is currently about one percent (1%) to ten percent(10%) of the cost of sulfonated polymer membranes comprising aperfluoronated backbone chemical structure. Therefore, it is especiallypreferable for the plates 20 of a plate-type heat exchanger to beconstructed of sulfonated polymer membranes comprising a hydrocarbonbackbone chemical structure because incorporating such plates into anERV improves its latent effectiveness factor while minimizing its cost.

[0048] The sulfonated polymer membranes do not necessarily require ahydrocarbon or perfluoronated backbone chemical structure. Rather, thebackbone could be a block or random copolymer. The desirable thicknessof the sulfonated polymer membranes is dependent upon the their physicalproperties, which are controlled by the chemical backbone structure,length of side chains, degree of sulfonation, and ionomic form (i.e.,acid, salt, etc.). However, such block or random copolymer must have theionic sulfonate group (SO₃). Additionally, the polymer membrane may befully or partially sulfonated. Altering the degree of sulfonationaffects the polymer membrane's ability to transfer moisture, and it isgenerally preferable to have a high degree of sulfonation within thepolymer membrane.

[0049] It may also be preferable to utilize a carboxylate polymermembrane in lieu of a sulfonated polymer membrane if the carboxylatepolymer membrane is able to transfer moisture from one of its sides tothe other side. A carboxylate polymer membrane shall mean a layer ofpolymer comprising a carboxylate ion (CO₂ ^(−/+)) within its chemicalstructure, wherein the carboxylate ion (CO₂ ^(−/+)) is typically locatedwithin the side chain of the polymer. An example of a generic chemicalstructure for a carboxylate polymer membrane would include the examplesof a generic chemical structure for a sulfonated polymer membranedescribed hereinbefore and wherein the SO₃ ⁻ ion is replaced with a CO₂⁻ ion. Although the remainder of this discussion shall refer tosulfonated polymer membranes, it shall be understood that other ionomermembranes, such as carboxylated polymer membranes, could be used as thematerial from which the plates 20 are constructed.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, each plate 20 typically is rectilinearhaving alternate pairs of sides (i.e., four sides). Spacer bars 22 areinterposed between alternating plates 20 and located along two opposingsides of such plates 20, thereby forming an array of first passageways26. The spacer bars 22 seal (e.g., closes or blocks) and define thefirst passageways 26 such that a first gas stream passes therethrough ina direction indicated by the arrow marked A. In the same respect, spacerbars 24 are interposed between alternate pairs of plates 20, other thanthose pairs that contain spacer bars 22, and are located along twoopposing sides of such plates 20, thereby forming an array of secondpassageways 28. The spacer bars 24 seal and define the secondpassageways 28 such that a second gas stream passes therethrough in adirection indicated by the arrow marked B, which is substantiallyperpendicular to the arrow A. Although the spacer bars 22 and the spacerbars 24 are perpendicular to one another, thereby depicting a cross flowheat exchanger, it shall be understood that the spacer bars 22, 24 canbe oriented to create a parallel or a counter flow heat exchanger.Provided the plates 20 have sufficient stiffness, the spacer bars 22, 24not only serve as a means for sealing the sides of the plates 20 tocreate the alternating passageways 26, 28, but also simultaneously serveas a means for spacing the plates 20 apart from one another.

[0051] As discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,117, which is herebyincorporated by reference, an additional means for sealing the sides ofthe plates 20 to create the alternating passageways 26, 28, may includecreating a flange with the opposite sides of the plates 20.Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, two opposing sides of a plate 20 arebent in one direction at approximately 90° to create flanges 52. Theother two opposing sides of the same plate 20 are also bent in theopposite direction at approximately 90° to create flanges 54. The nextadjacent plate 20 has two sets of opposing sides wherein, one set hasflanges 56 bent in one direction at approximately 90° and the other sethas flanges 58 bent in the opposite direction at approximately 90°. Whenthese two plates are adjacent to one another, the flanges 54 and theflanges 56 overlap to create passageway 28 and seal the sides of suchpassageway. When the next pair of plates 20 are adjacent to one another,the flanges 52 and the flanges 58 overlap and create passageway 26 andseal the sides of such passageway. Although not shown, a further meansfor sealing a pair of plates 20 to create a passageway may includeplacing an adhesive tape or a face plate, or another type of obstructionbetween the space between of two plates 20.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, once the sealing means and the plates 20 areassembled to create the passageways 26, 28, the plate-type heatexchanger 12 a is formed. Although this figure depicts a plate-type heatexchanger 12 a having a total of six alternating passageways 26, 28, theplate-type heat exchanger 12 a may have as few as two passageways, or asmany passageways as are required to transfer the desirable amount ofheat from one gas stream to the other. FIG. 5 illustrates a plate-typeheat exchanger 12 a having a sealing means located at the sides of theplates 20, thereby leaving the remainder of each plate 20 unsupported.Hence, it is preferable that the plates 20 have sufficient rigidity(i.e., stiffness) to prevent them from fluttering while the gas streamspass through the passageways 26, 28. Creating a plate 20 with suchrigidity, however, may require increasing the thickness of the plates20, which, in turn, may reduce its thermal efficiency. Therefore, it maybe desirable to reduce the thickness of the plates 20 and insert analternate means for providing the spacing of the parallel plates.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternate embodiment ofthe plate-type heat exchanger 12 b of the present invention. Unlike theplate-type heat exchanger 12 a in FIG. 5, which does not provide supportacross the width of the plate 20, the plate-type heat exchanger 12 b inFIG. 6 includes a continuous corrugated sheet 30 interposed between theplates 20, thereby preventing the plates 20 from fluttering as the gasstreams pass through the passageways 26, 28. The continuous corrugatedsheet 30 is typically constructed of paper but may also be constructedof metal or plastic. The continuous corrugated sheet 30 also serves asan alternate means for spacing the plates 20 apart from one another.Specifically, the alternating peaks 32, 34 of the continuous corrugatedsheet 30 contact the plates 20 and create a passageway for gas stream toflow in the same direction as the corrugations. Moreover, the continuouscorrugated sheet 30 not only serves as a means of spacing apart theplates 20, but also simultaneously serves as a means for sealing twoopposite sides of the gap between the plates 20. In other words, as thealternating peaks 32, 34 of the continuous corrugated sheet 30 contactthe plates 20, the contact points act as a seal line and prevent the gasstream from flowing across the continuous corrugated sheet 30.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown an alternate embodiment ofthe plate-type heat exchanger 12 c of the present invention. Theplate-type heat exchanger 12 c in FIG. 7 replaces the continuouscorrugated sheet 30 within the plate-type heat exchanger 12 cillustrated in FIG. 6, with a corrugated lattice structural sheet 36.Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a three dimensional view of thecorrugated lattice structural sheet 36, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,527,590, 5,679,467, and 5,962,150, which are hereby incorporated byreference. Referring to FIG. 8A, there is shown an enlarged view of aportion of the corrugated lattice structural sheet 36 in FIG. 8,constructed from a plurality of uniformly stacked pyramids in a threedimensional array. Each pyramid is constructed of intersecting crossmembers 60 that intersect at the vertex 61 of the pyramid. An example ofsuch a corrugated lattice structural sheet includes that which ismanufactured by Jamcorp of Wilmington, Mass. and distributed under thetradename LATTICE BLOCK MATERIAL (LBM). The corrugated latticestructural sheet 36 is typically constructed of metal, plastic, orrubber.

[0055] Unlike the continuous corrugated sheet 30, which contacts theplate 20 along the entire length of its the peaks 32 and valleys 34, thecorrugated lattice structural sheet 36 only contacts the plate 20 at thevertices 61 of the pyramids, thereby reducing the surface area of thesheet that contacts the plate 20 and increasing the plate's 20effectiveness for transferring energy from one passageway to the other.Moreover, referring back to FIG. 6, in order to transfer the heat in theportion of the passageway 26 marked 38 to the portion of the passageway28 marked 40, the heat must pass through both the continuous corrugatedsheet 30 and the plate 20. Therefore, the inclusion of the continuouscornigated sheet 30 between the plates 20 limits the amount of availablesurface area for the latent heat to directly pass through the plate 20from passageway 26 to passageway 28.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, which are cross sections of theplate-type heat exchanger 12 c illustrated in FIG. 7 taken along lines9-9 and 10-10 respectively, in order to transfer heat from passageway 26to passageway 28, the heat need only pass through the plate 20. Becausethe corrugated lattice structural sheet 36 is an open structure, the gasstream is able to flow freely throughout the passageways 26, 28.Additionally, because the corrugated lattice structural sheet 36 onlymakes point contact with the plate 20, the majority of surface area onthe plate 20 is available to transfer heat from one passageway to theother. Compared to the continuous corrugated sheet 30, the corrugatedlattice structural sheet 36 is a more efficient means for spacing apartthe plates 20 from one another. Furthermore, the design of the latticestructural sheet 36 may mix (i.e., stir) the gas stream as it passesthrough the passageways 26, 28, thereby increasing the effectivenessfactor of the plate-type heat exchanger 12 c. However, because thecorrugated lattice structural sheet 36 is an open structure, theplate-type heat exchanger 12 c requires a means for sealing two opposingsides of the passageways 26, 28, thereby allowing the gas streams topass therethrough in respective first and second directions. The sealingmeans may comprise spacer bars 22, 24 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 orany other sealing means discussed hereinbefore.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown an alternate embodiment ofthe present invention. Specifically, FIG. 11 is a side view of a plate20 interposed between two planar lattice sheets 52. Although this figureillustrates a planar lattice sheet 52 adjacent to both sides of theplate 20, it may be sufficient that a single planar lattice sheet 52 beadjacent to one side of the plate 20 if the mechanical characteristicsof the plate 20 and/or the planar lattice sheet 52 provide adequatestructural support. Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a top view of aplanar lattice sheet 52, which is constructed of a plurality of segments54 forming an array of two dimensional trigonal structures, wherein thesegments 54 intersect at intersection points 56. The planar latticesheet 52 in FIG. 12 differs from the corrugated lattice structural sheet36 in FIG. 8A in that the corrugated lattice structural sheet 36typically forms three-dimensional pyramid-type structures at theintersection points of the cross members, while the planar lattice sheet52 typically forms a two-dimensional trigonal structure from overlappingsegments 54. In other words, the height of the corrugated latticestructural sheet 36 is the height of the vertex of the pyramid typestructures formed therein, but the height of the planar lattice sheet 52is equal to the thickness of the segments 54. Therefore, the corrugatedlattice structural sheet 36 is typically thicker than the planar latticesheet 52. The area indicated by reference numeral 58 is open space.Therefore, placing the sheet 20 between two planar lattice sheets 52supports the sheet 20 and maintains its flat profile while allowing thegas streams to access the maximum amount of surface area on the plate 20as the two gas streams pass through the passageways 26, 28.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 13, if both the planar lattice sheets 52 andthe corrugated lattice structural sheet 36 are incorporated into aplate-type heat exchanger, it is preferable to coordinate theirrespective designs. Specifically, it is preferable that the vertex 61 ofpyramids in the corrugated lattice structural sheet 36 align (i.e.,contact or connect) with the intersection points 56 of the segments 54in the planar lattice sheet 52. Hence, two plates 20 are supported byadjacent planar lattice sheets 52, and a corrugated lattice structuralsheet 36 is interposed between the planar lattice sheets 52, therebyproviding maximum support for the plate-type heat exchanger 12 c andallowing the maximum amount of energy transfer between the gas streamsin the passageways 26, 28.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown an alternate embodiment ofthe plate-type heat exchanger 12 d of the present invention. Unlike theplate-type heat exchanger 12 b in FIG. 6 and the plate-type heatexchanger 12 c in FIG. 7, the plate-type heat exchanger 12 d in FIG. 14does not include a partial obstruction, such as the continuouscorrugated sheet 30 and corrugated lattice structural sheet 36, withinthe passageways 26, 28 to support the plates 20 or keep them apart fromone another. Rather, the plates 20 in the plate-type heat exchanger 12 dof FIG. 14 are supported by a sheet of webbed netting 42. The webbednetting 42 is typically constructed of plastic, which is compatible withthe sulfonated polymer membrane such that webbed netting 42 will adhereto the membrane regardless of whether the webbed netting 42 is adjacentthe membrane or embedded therein: The strand thickness and the spacingbetween the nodes are chosen to provide the required stiffness to thesulfonated polymer membrane, while maximizing the membrane's surfacearea that is exposed to the gas stream. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16,which are cross sections of the plate-type heat exchanger 12 dillustrated in FIG. 14 taken along lines 15-15 and 16-16 respectively,the plate 20 is interposed between sheets of webbed netting 42, whichreinforces the plate 20. Referring to FIG. 17, which is a cross sectionof the plate-type heat exchanger illustrated in FIG. 15 taken along line17-17, this figure illustrates the top view of the webbed netting 42laid over the plate 20. Referring back to FIGS. 15 and 16, because thepassageways 26, 28 are unobstructed, the plate-type heat exchanger 12 drequires a means for sealing two opposing sides of the passageways 26,28, thereby allowing the gas streams to pass therethrough in respectivefirst and second directions. The sealing means may comprise spacer bars22, 24 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, or any other sealing meansdiscussed hereinbefore.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 18, there is shown another alternate embodimentof the webbed supported plate illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. Unlikeplate 20 illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 which is supported by a sheet ofwebbed netting 42 on both sides, the plate 20 in FIG. 18 is onlysupported by one sheet of webbed netting 42 adjacent the plate 20.Although FIG. 18 depicts the sheet of webbed netting 42 on top of theplate 20, the webbed netting 42 may also be placed below the plate 20.Therefore, depending upon the stiffness of the plate 20 and the webbednetting 42, the plate 20 may be supported by one or two sheets of webbednetting 42 that are situated above and/or below the plate 20.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 19, there is shown another alternate embodimentof the webbed supported plate. This figure illustrates the webbednetting 42 embedded within the plate 20, thereby increasing thestiffness of the plate 20. If the sulfonated polymer membrane istypically made from an extrusion process, this structure may be formedby casting the sulfonated polymer over the webbed netting 42.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 20, there is shown another alternate embodimentof the present invention which replaces the layers of webbed netting 42with layers of plastic 46 to provide additional support to the plate 20.Specifically, the plate 20, which is constructed of a sulfonated polymermembrane, is interposed between two layers of plastic 46, such aspolytetrafluroehtylene (PTFE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE),polypropylene, or other porous (i.e., open cell) polymer film thatpermits air permeation while minimizing the pressure drop of the passingair stream. Referring to FIG. 21, depending upon the stiffness of theplastic layer 46 and the plate 20, the plastic layer 46 may be adjacentto one side of the plate 20, and the adjacent side may be on the top orbottom of the plate 20.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 22 there is shown another alternate embodimentof the plate-type heat exchanger 12 e that includes an alternate layerof webbed netting 48 between the plates 20. Specifically, the layer ofwebbed netting 48 includes nodes 50 that have a diameter equal to theheight of the passageways 26, 28. The nodes 50 are the intersectionpoints of the strands. Therefore, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, whichare cross sections of the plate-type heat exchanger 12 e illustrated inFIG. 22 taken along lines 23-23 and 24-24 respectively, the layer ofwebbed netting 48 is interposed between the plates 20 such that thenodes 50 contact the plates 20. This contact serves as a means forspacing apart the plates 20, which are also supported by the webbednetting 48. Because the nodes 50 are distributed within the layer ofwebbed netting 48, the nodes 50 do not form a seal with the plates 20.Hence, the layer of webbed netting 48 is an open structure, therebyrequiring the plate-type heat exchanger 12 e to include a means forsealing two opposing sides of the passageways 26, 28 to the gas streamsto pass therethrough in respective first and second directions. Thesealing means may comprise spacer bars 22, 24 as illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4 or any other sealing means discussed hereinbefore.

[0064] Although the invention has been described and illustrated withrespect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes,omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plate-type heat exchanger, comprising: (a) aplurality of parallel plates spaced apart from one another therebyforming alternating first and second passageways for a first gas streamand a second gas stream to pass therethrough, respectively, said platescomprising an ionomer membrane having four sides; (b) means for spacingapart said parallel plates from one another; (c) means for sealing twoopposing sides of said first passageways thereby allowing the first gasstream to pass therethrough in a first direction; and (d) means forsealing two opposing sides of said second passageways thereby allowingthe second gas stream to pass therethrough in a second direction.
 2. Theplate-type heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said ionomer membrane is asulfonated polymer membrane.
 3. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 2wherein said sulfonated polymer membrane comprises a perfluoronatedbackbone chemical structure.
 4. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 2wherein said sulfonated polymer membrane comprises a hydrocarbonbackbone chemical structure.
 5. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 1wherein said ionomer membrane is a carboxylated polymer membrane.
 6. Theplate-type heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said spacing apart meansand said sealing means for said first passageway are the same.
 7. Theplate-type heat exchanger of claim 6 wherein said spacing apart meansand said sealing means for said first passageway is a continuouscorrugated sheet interposed between said parallel plates that form saidfirst passageway.
 8. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 1 whereinsaid spacing apart means and said sealing means for said secondpassageway are the same.
 9. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 8wherein said spacing apart means and said sealing means for said secondpassageway is a continuous corrugated sheet interposed between saidparallel plates that form said second passageway.
 10. The plate-typeheat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said scaling means for said firstpassageways comprise two spacer bars affixed to opposing sides of saidparallel plates that form said first passageway.
 11. The plate-type heatexchanger of claim 1 wherein said sealing means for said secondpassageways comprise two spacer bars affixed to opposing sides of saidparallel plates that form said second passageway.
 12. The plate-typeheat exchanger of claim 11 wherein said sealing means for said firstpassageways comprise two additional spacer bars affixed to opposingsides of said parallel plates that forms said first passageways, whereinsaid additional spacer bars for sealing said first passageways areperpendicular to said spacer bars for sealing said second passageways.13. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 11 wherein said sealing meansfor said first passageways comprise two additional spacer bars affixedto opposing sides of said parallel plates that form said firstpassageways, wherein said additional spacer bars for sealing said firstpassageways are parallel to said spacer bars for sealing said secondpassageways.
 14. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein saidsealing means for said first passageways comprises creating flanges onopposing sides of said parallel plates that overlap and form said firstpassageway.
 15. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein saidsealing means for said second passageways comprises creating flanges onopposing sides of said parallel plates that overlap and form said secondpassageway.
 16. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein saidspacing apart means comprises two spacer bars affixed to opposing sidesof said parallel plates.
 17. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 1wherein said spacing apart means comprises a corrugated latticestructural sheet.
 18. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 1 whereinsaid parallel plates further comprise a webbed sheet adjacent saidionomer membranes.
 19. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 1 whereinsaid parallel plates further comprise said ionomer membranes interposedbetween two webbed sheet.
 20. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 1wherein said parallel plates further comprise a webbed sheet embeddedwithin said ionomer membranes.
 21. The plate-type heat exchanger ofclaim 1 wherein said parallel plates further comprise a sheet ofpolytetrafluroethylene adjacent one side of said ionomer membranes. 22.The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 21 wherein said parallel platesfurther comprise an other sheet of polytetrafluroehtylene adjacent another side of said ionomer membranes.
 23. A plate-type heat exchanger,comprising: (a) a plurality of parallel ionomer membranes spaced apartfrom one another thereby forming alternating first and secondpassageways for a first gas stream and a second gas stream to passtherethrough, respectively, each of said ionomer membranes having foursides; (b) means for spacing apart said parallel ionomer membranes fromone another; (c) means for sealing two opposing sides of said firstpassageways thereby allowing the first gas stream to pass therethroughin a first direction; and (d) means for sealing two opposing sides ofsaid first passageways thereby allowing the second gas stream to passtherethrough in a second direction.
 24. The plate-type heat exchanger ofclaim 23 wherein said ionomer membrane is a sulfonated polymer membrane.25. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 23 wherein said ionomermembrane is a carboxylated polymer membrane.
 26. A plate-type heatexchanger, comprising: (a) a plurality of parallel plates spaced apartfrom one another thereby forming alternating first and secondpassageways for a first gas stream and a second gas stream to passtherethrough, respectively, said plates comprising an ionomer membranehaving four sides; (b) a corrugated lattice structural sheet interposedbetween said parallel plates, thereby spacing apart said parallel platesfrom one another, (c) means for sealing two opposing sides of said firstpassageways thereby allowing the first gas stream to pass therethroughin a first direction; and (d) means for sealing two opposing sides ofsaid second passageways thereby allowing the second gas stream to passtherethrough in a second direction.
 27. The plate-type heat exchanger ofclaim 26 wherein said plates further comprise a planar lattice sheetadjacent said ionomer membrane.
 28. The plate-type heat exchanger ofclaim 26 wherein said corrugated lattice structural sheet comprisescross members that intersect at vertices and wherein said planar latticesheet comprises segments that intersect at intersection points andwherein said vertices of said corrugated lattice structural sheet andsaid intersection points of said planar lattice plate align.
 29. Theplate-type heat exchanger of claim 26 wherein said plates furthercomprise two planar lattice sheets adjacent both sides of said ionomermembrane.
 30. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 29 wherein saidcorrugated lattice structural sheet comprises cross members thatintersect at vertices and wherein said planar lattice sheet comprisessegments that intersect at intersection points and wherein said verticesof said corrugated lattice structural sheet and said intersection pointsof said planar lattice plate align.
 31. The plate-type heat exchanger ofclaim 26 wherein said ionomer membrane is a sulfonated polymer membrane.32. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim 26 wherein said ionomermembrane is a carboxylated polymer membrane.
 33. A plate-type heatexchanger, comprising: (a) a plurality of parallel plates spaced apartfrom one another thereby forming alternating first and secondpassageways for a first gas stream and a second gas stream to passtherethrough, respectively, said plates comprising an ionomer membranehaving four sides; (b) a layer of webbed netting interposed between saidparallel plates, thereby spacing apart said parallel plates from oneanother; (c) means for sealing two opposing sides of said firstpassageways thereby allowing the first gas stream to pass therethroughin a first direction; and (d) means for sealing two opposing sides ofsaid first passageways thereby allowing the second gas stream to passtherethrough in a second direction.
 34. The plate-type heat exchanger ofclaim 33 wherein said webbed netting comprises nodes having a diameterequal to the height of the first and second passageway.
 35. Theplate-type heat exchanger of claim 33 wherein said ionomer membrane is asulfonated polymer membrane.
 36. The plate-type heat exchanger of claim33 wherein said ionomer membrane is a carboxylated polymer membrane.